Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration in the microarchitecture of bone tissue, leading to an increased risk of fracture. Osteoporosis occurs when bone mass decreases more quickly than the body can replace it, leading to a net loss of bone strength. As a result the skeleton becomes fragile, so that even a slight bump or fall can lead to a broken bone, (referred to as a fragility fracture). Osteoporosis has no signs or symptoms until a fracture occurs – this is why it is often called a ‘silent disease’.
The food that you eat can affect your bones. Learning about the foods that are rich in calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients that are important for your bone health and overall health will help you make healthier food choices every day. Use the chart below for examples of the different types of food you should be eating every day
Osteoporosis Health Nutrition and Facts
Is dietary protein good or bad for your bones? Dr. Karl Insogna's research focused on answering this question and investigates the factors that put women at a greater risk for osteoporosis.
More than 2 million Australians are diagnosed with osteoporosis each year. Every 5 - 6 minutes, someone is admitted to hospital with an osteoporotic fracture, which often results in early death or at the least a loss of mobility. The direct treatment of these fractures makes up $1 billion of the national health budget. Yet, osteoporosis remains one of the most undetected and under-treated national health priorities, accounting for only 0.6% of the conditions managed by general practitioners. To help reverse these statistics, can public health measures be identified to help prevent osteoporosis, reduce its pain and suffering, as well as reduce the ever-expanding healthcare costs? Dietary calcium and vitamin D may be part of the solution. Recent research has identified a new pathway for action for both of these nutrients working together in bone cells to improve bone strength. This pathway provides a mechanism for increased vitamin D status and adequate dietary calcium to prevent the development of osteoporosis.
Nutrition and bone, muscle and joint health are closely related. A healthy diet can help you prevent and manage osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal disorders by assisting in the production and maintenance of bone. Conversely, if you're not getting the right nutrients you're putting yourself at greater risk for bone, muscle and joint disease.
By the time you’re 30 years old, you’ve achieved your peak bone mass for life. Once you reach 50, the body’s bone-rebuilding process slows, and you begin to lose bone mass.
Because 70 percent of our bone destiny is due to heredity, you’re at greater risk for osteoporosis if you have a family history of the disease—but that doesn’t mean you can’t help shape the health of your bones.
